ACTRESS Kim Bennett has been a key member of West Bergholt’s Orpen Players for many years.

She’s back with the village troupe this week in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell which runs at the Orpen Hall from October 15 until 17. Doors open at 7.30pm for 8pm and Tickets are priced £6 for tomorrow and £7 for Friday and Saturday, and are by calling 01206 241048.

What or who got you interested in theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?

We didn’t have drama lessons in school in my day but I was involved in lots of end of term productions. I remember being taken to see Timothy West as Shylock in ‘the Merchant of Venice’ as part of my ‘O’ levels studies and was completely amazed at how alive he made the text.

Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in drama?

My daughter, Niamh, is a great actress and she re-ignited my interest whilst she was studying drama in school. When my mum was in school she played Mrs Bennet in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ before becoming another Mrs Bennett!

Who is the most inspiring person you’ve worked with and why?

I’ve been really lucky to have worked with some really great actors in community theatre and professional productions. We have such a great arts scene here in Colchester and I’d have to say the Gazette’s own Paul T Davies – always able to find that little something extra that helps improve a performance.

Do you have any specialist skills-anything from stilt-walking to dress-making –which you work into your repertoire?

I can do a really good Scouse accent and use it quite frequently in my performances.

What experience/role do you regard as the highlight of you career to date?

Probably my most recent as Maria in ‘Twelfth Night’ for the Priory Players – loved the part and the rest of the cast were fab. I also played a version of the late great Cilla Black in panto last year which meant the chance to do a lot of in-character improvisation. Either that or playing Dick Whittington’s cat – no lines but a lot of miaowing.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

Not necessarily embarrassing but I had to grab a fellow cast member’s lapels (it was part of the plot, honest) and I ripped a fingernail off. I had to do the curtain call trying to disguise the blood dripping off onto the stage!

Which actor do you admire most and why?

Imelda Staunton, she is such a force, so talented and can play the full range – drama, comedy and musical theatre across all genres and completely inhabits the characters she portrays.

What role would you most like to play and why?

I will be cheeky and say two – Shirley Valentine and Beatrice in ‘Much Ado about Nothing’. Both strong, intelligent women who just have a way with the words they use.

Ever corpse on stage? What happened?

No, not yet (crossing everything rapidly!) Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to other actors/directors?

I try and think of the train of thought that goes with the lines and follow that through. I must admit I can’t learn lines sitting still – it does bemuse my cat to see me pacing around the lounge or garden.